Finally today I was officially admitted as organist to the church where I've been playing for the past year. That feels good after having been on probation for so long, and feeling like doing an exam each time I had to play. There is much to learn yet but they did recognize the progress I made over the last couple of months. Boy did I underestimate that job when I went for it...

_________________Though everything else may appear shallow and repulsive, even the smallest task in music is so absorbing, and carries us so far away from town, country, earth, and all worldly things, that it is truly a blessed gift of God.

Congrats Mr. Techneut! From my brief experience with Dutch churches, it is sad that there will be so few ears to listen to you play. Seems to me that that past life doesn't matter that much. Please tell me that I am wrong. Nevertheless, the requirements for the job must have been astronomical considering that you , of all people on this site, had a tough time.

_________________Madam, what makes you think that I play with my hands?

Oh, they are quite ok, patient and helpful. But picky as well, and they wanted to make sure I was heading the right way before giving the green light. They'd previously failed to do that and are now stuck with an organist they don't really want.

Congrats Mr. Techneut! From my brief experience with Dutch churches, it is sad that there will be so few ears to listen to you play. Seems to me that that past life doesn't matter that much. Please tell me that I am wrong.

You're wrong. It was pretty packed today (but that because there was no service in the twin church).Normal attendance is not great but satisfying.

juufa72 wrote:

Nevertheless, the requirements for the job must have been astronomical considering that you , of all people on this site, had a tough time.

Thanks all. It's not a world-rocking post I have, but it's a start. Had I failed this I would have to seriously reconsider my organ career. Not having an instrument myself, it's quite impossible to play organ seriously without being affiliated to a church. I guess I'm lucky that they don't even mind me being non-religious.

Thanks all. It's not a world-rocking post I have, but it's a start. Had I failed this I would have to seriously reconsider my organ career. Not having an instrument myself, it's quite impossible to play organ seriously without being affiliated to a church. I guess I'm lucky that they don't even mind me being non-religious.

Congrats also on my part. What about the organ you play there? In Italy we frequently have historically important organs located in small parishes. In my area there are a good number of beautiful instruments (often completely restored and yet seldom played, since the priests and the singers seem to be more at ease with the ubiquitous electronic organ placed near the altar).

This organ was newly built in 1978, but adhering to the then-current strict rules for neo-Baroque organs. That means rickety keys (wow, that authentic feel) and very sharp octave and mixture registers. It means in practice that I can never use the mixture in a service. Plans are ongoing to
address these points. Despite that, it's not at all a bad organ to learn to play on, and sounds quite nice in recordings. Though I hope eventually to get my hands on something more elaborate and imposing.

Congratulations on being appointed organist! I've listened to your recordings right along and know how hard you've worked to improve, and it shows. So you earned it, and evidently the church organ-ization felt likewise. Best of luck to you in that endeavor!

David

_________________"Interpreting music means exploring the promise of the potential of possibilities." David April

Thanks David (and other who commented).
Actually my 'career' as an organ soloist has nothing to do with my being church organist, at least not for the church. It has for me, of course. But they don't care about how well I play Bach, all they care about is that I can satisfactorily and smootly accompany a service, and that they can sing along nicely. Now that I've taken to improvising instead of trying to fill spaces with pre-chosen repertoire pieces, that works a lot better.

Have my sincere congratulations, Chris! Now we know, for what sudatory aim you have recorded all these Bach chorale preludes, isn´t it? No, seriously, I really appreciate your organ playing and it´s great, that you have had such a good success! Kudos!

Sudatory, hmmm... I had to look that up. Same as sudorific = Causing or increasing sweat.
Yes you can say that again ! Bloody hard sweat work it is I'll never forget these summer evenings practising the Orgelbuchlein bare-chested, sweat pouring down my back. Luckily my new venue is a bit cooler (and warmer in the winter).

Sudatory, hmmm... I had to look that up. Same as sudorific = Causing or increasing sweat.Yes you can say that again ! Bloody hard sweat work it is I'll never forget these summer evenings practising the Orgelbuchlein bare-chested, sweat pouring down my back. Luckily my new venue is a bit cooler (and warmer in the winter).

LOFL

Btw, I was more thinking of the sweat, which can increase, if you are afraid of something. In your case I was thinking of your organ examination. So, my "sudatory" (I got that word from Leo online dictionary) was meant not to be caused by a too large heat, but such "missunderstandings" - intentional or not intentional - are really funny.

_________________Hye-Jin Lee"The love for music. The respect for the composer. The desire to express something that reaches and moves the listener." (Montserrat Caballé about her main motivation for becoming a singer)

You can be very thankfull to have a Pipe organ at all. We've got a decent Allen Electronic organ, but I would give my eye teeth to be able to play on a pipe organ like yours!! Congratulations on being made official!!

_________________Amateur pianist, and Church Musician, who plays for the love of it!!

You can be very thankfull to have a Pipe organ at all. We've got a decent Allen Electronic organ, but I would give my eye teeth to be able to play on a pipe organ like yours!! Congratulations on being made official!!

Thanks Radar. Yes you're right, one could do worse than this one. It's not at all a bad little organ for a beginning organist. Obviously, even more so than with piano, one always strives for more....So you're a church musician as well ! It is amazing how many people play piano and organ.

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